Seen rattling along sidewalks in 100-degree heat, wearing what seams like the most impractical attire for our desert environment, it can be easy to dismiss skateboarders as some sort of aberration of society. They are people too, however, and now skaters have a brand new skate park designed to give them a challenging assortment of bowls, pits, and obstacles on which to hone their skills.

The Santa Rita facility is the fifth, and most centrally-located park designed specifically for use by skaters.The project was ten years in the making, and it was completed this spring at a cost of about $1 million.

The park has experienced constant use since the grand opening last month. Initial concerns were raised about the homeless population that frequents the park, and illicit activities that required an ongoing police presence. However, proponents of the skate park say that the increased use of the park by skaters and their families has helped to minimize some of the incidents involving police. Recently, we visited the park during the relatively slow midday time, but still managed to find some skaters.

Zack Fox, works at Peter Glenn Ski and Sport, and manages a team of youth skaters. He says that much of the bad rap that skaters get is due to people simply not understanding the kids. He says most of the kids are really good guys and they just want a place to practice their sport.

Producer Luis Carrión prepared this report.

Music provided by Naim Amor.